Germany enter the 2026 World Cup as dark horses after their humiliating 2022 group stage exit. Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala — arguably Europe's most exciting midfield pairing — give Die Mannschaft genuine title credentials. Ecuador qualified impressively but are significant underdogs in Group E.

Germany should dominate from the first whistle. Wirtz's creativity, Musiala's dribbling and Havertz's movement off the ball will be too much for an Ecuador side that will try to stay compact and hit on the counter. A comfortable Germany win is the expected outcome — this is a redemption tournament for a nation that underperformed badly in 2022.